Show-case



2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Swvewtoz A. MONEILL.

(No Model.)

SHOW CASE.

No. 391.630. Patented Oct. 23, 1888.

a o o e M W n. PETERS. Phmu-Lnfio m m. Waxhingmn. D. c.

SHOW/CASE.

$PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 391,630, dated October 23. 1388- Applieation filed July 3,1888. Serial No.278.897. (370 model.)

1'0 all whom it 72mg concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER MoNEILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Valley Mills, in the county of Bosque and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Show-Gases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in show-cases; and it consistsin certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure l is a side view of my improved show-case. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the tray, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of the sliding key and the spring thereon.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the base, composed of two similar bars, a, secured together at right angles to each other and in the same horizontal plane. In the top portions of these bars a, near the ends of the same, I journal the small rollers B, to facilitate the swinging or rotating of the case and to reduce the friction between the moving parts, as will be readily understood. At the intersection of the bars a, I secure the vertical bolt 0, which serves as a pivot for theframe or main body of the case.

The floor D of the main frame or case rests on the rollers B, and the pivotal bolt 0 passes vertically through the center of the floor. Atthe corners of this floor or bottom D, I erect the posts or columns E, on the upper ends of which I secure the top F. Between the columns E, I arrange the cases G on each side of the frame. These cases G are provided with closed glass fronts and open backs, and they are pivotally mounted between the top and bottom of the frame by means of the pivotal bolts H H at the top and bottom of the same. The sides of the cases are convex, as shown, being curved on arcs of circles, of which their pivots are the centers,'and the inner sides of the posts or columns are concaved on similar arcs to permit the rotation of the cases. To

the inner sides of the posts or columns I secure the horizontal leaf-spring pawls I, which have projections J, engaging notches or recesses K in the sides of the cases, thereby locking them against undue rotation. Between the sides of the cases G, I pivot the trays L, which are substantially semicircular in cross-section, having open tops, through which the ribbons to be displayed are placed therein.

On one end of the trays I provide a series of projections or lugs, M,which are arranged in a curved series concentric with the bottom of the tray. These lugs are engaged by the sliding obliquely-arranged keys or lookingrods N,which are mounted in inclined grooves in the sides of the cases G, and are controlled by the springs O,which are coiled around the keys between a shoulder, P, thereon and the end of the inclosing casting Q. The free end of the key is provided with a notch,R,through which the lugs pass when the tray is being rotated. The rear edge of the tray is provided with an elastic band, S, which is secured to and extends between two shoulders or projections, T T, on the rear side of the tray, at the opposite ends of the same. The ends of the elastic band are secured in small notches in the outer faces of these projections, so as to be flush therewith and not present any obstrueting surfaces. A flange-plate, U, is secured to these projections and extends between the same, its upper edge being just below the elastic band. This flangeplate is provided with a longitudinal series of. transverse openings,V, for the attachment of pricetags.

NV designates a measure, provided at one end with a hook, X, which engages the upper edge of the tray or the flange-plate, and is thereby prevented from being lost, and is held in a convenient position for measuring the ribbon.

In practice the spools of ribbon are placed edgewise in the trays, and the ends of the pa per strips are passed through the opening between the side of the tray and the flange-plate, and the ribbons are passed over the ed go of the flange-plateand undertheelasticband. When it is desired to sell a piece of ribbon, the case containing the ribbon is rotated on. its pivots to bring its open rear side toward the operator, the spring-latch being first released to permit such rotation, as will be readily understood.

The desired length of ribbon is then drawn off IOO the spool and the measure slipped up to the same to indicate precisely the quantity, thus correctly and quickly measuring the ribbon without removing it from the tray. The elastic band serves to secure the ends of the ribbon and thereby preserve the proper shape of the spool, thus dispensing with the troublesome and inconvenient pins usually employed. The paper strip will be automatically drawn off the spool by drawing off the ribbon and will pass downward behind the flange-plate, out of the operators way, so as not to interfere with the free handling of the ribbon. In order to place the spools of ribbon in the tray, the spring-controlled key is depressed, so as to bring the notch in its lower end into alignmentwith the lugs on the end of thetray, permitting the tray to be swung on its pivots, so as to bring its open top toward the operator. The key is then released and will be drawn into engagement between the lugs by the spring, as will be readily understood, thereby holding the tray in position to receive the spools. After the tray has been filled with spools it is swung back into its normal position, displaying the ribbons through the glass front of the case.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, that I have provided a very simple and efticient case. The entire case or frame can be rotated so as to bring any desired side to the operator, and the case on that side can be readily rotated to give access to the spools.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. The combination of the base, the frame pivotally mounted thereon, and the cases pivotally mounted in said frame, as set forth.

2. The combination of the base, the rollers journaled therein, and the frame pivotally mounted on the base and resting on the rollers, as set forth.

3. The combination ofthe case, the trays pivoted therein having aseries of lugs on one end, and the keys having one end engaging between said lugs and having a notch in its edge, as set forth.

4. The combination of the frame, the case pivoted therein having a recess in its side, and the spring secured to the frame and having a projection engaging said recess, as set forth.

5. The combination, with the pivoted trays having the offsets T on their rear sides, of the elastic bands extended between said offsets and having their ends secured in notches in the sides of the ofi'sets, and the flange-plate secured to and between the said offsets and having their upper edges just below the elastic bands, as specified.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER M ONEILL.

Witnesses:

J. A. SEARS, A. A. MONEILL. 

